Chapter 2

Yea… Chapter 2!

Rezzalia: Thanks so much for the advice. This is my first fan-fic so I'm still getting used to everything, so I really appreciate the help!

Maria bounded up the steps and pushed through the cream colored doors. The familiar setup gave her a warm feeling. People smiled and gave her greeting nods, some muttering "Morning Miss Starx". The main reception room was better described as a corridor filled with people and chairs. The main desk was about two meters long, with five ladies seated at it, speaking with people. On the left side of the hall, a cluster of chairs were set in perfect rows with small tables between every three. The tables were covered with newspapers and magazines, all crumpled from the nervous habits of its previous users. The right side of the room was filled with five or six glass rooms where workers sat and took calls. Behind the reception desk, the main hallway that leads the operating rooms and such extended into the distance. Door after door with smaller hallways branching off.

Maria weaved her way through the patients and doctors, reaching the small staff door at the back of the main reception room. Typing in her key code, she walked in. The employ's room was tiny compared to the previous room. The left wall was covered in small mail slots, and the right was full of small hooks with keys hanging from them. Maria walked over the far wall where the schedule was hung. She quickly read through her day. As she looked through the names, she stifled a moan. She read the information again, hoping it to be a mistake:

Annual cancer checkup;

Time: 2:34

Room: 4283

Patient: Marcin Netch

Doctor: Maria Starx

Nurse: Regina Lassiter

Regina Lassiter. The bane of Maria's existence. Regina was a year older then Maria, and a LOT less useful. Regina tended to be the kind of person whose shirt would just "magically" unbutton itself low enough for her breasts to just peek out. She wore short nurse skirts and tended to conveniently lean over to pick stuff up in front of attractive men. She flirted her way around with all the men, and even offered private "sessions" to the more handsome patients. She claimed it was "therapy". Maria always tried to be nice person, but the only word she had to describe Regina was "slut". And today she would be forced to work with her.

"MMMAAAARRRRRIIIIIAAAAA!" called out a playful high pitched voice. Maria sighed and turned to see one of her close friends, Kat Mascota, running towards her. Kat's real name was Katerina, but she hated it. In a nutshell, Kat was the exact opposite of Regina.

"Morning Kat. What's wrong?" Maria asked. Kat smacked her arm.

"WHAT? YOU DON'T KNOW? Look at who you're working with at 2:30," Kat demanded. Maria winced.

"Ugh…. Already saw. Trying not to think of it," Maria admitted. The hyper nurse nodded sympathetically. Then she glanced at her watch a yelped.

"GOTTA GO! GOOD LUCK!" and with that, Kat was gone. Maria leaned against a wall for support. She loved Kat, but was always inexplicitly exhausted after even a short conversation with her. Maria shut her eyes for a moment breathing deeply. But, Maria's luck must have been off that day, because a new voice rang out, much more nasally and irritating.

"My, my, my… Look at the pride and joy of the hospital, sleeping on the job," the voice scoffed. Maria forced herself to remain calm.

"Hello, Regina. How are you?" Maria managed. Regina smiled with fake sweetness.

"Oh, just great! Thomas and I had a great night last night. Man, what an animal!" she laughed, snickering to herself. Maria ignored the comment, and looked away.
"That's nice. Now if you'll please move…" Maria trailed off, pushing the blond out of the way. Regina just laughed, and walked off in the other direction. Maria forced her mind to focus on the clipboard in front of her. She didn't need to look where see was going. The place was her home, and she knew every turn. At noon, Maria set off to lunch. As she walked, she thought about her conversation with Kankuro. She liked talking to him. He was funny, and so confident. It made her feel… Strong. As her mind wandered she felt a hand grip her shoulder, making her jump.

"Hey, if it isn't the beautiful doc," laughed a deep voice.

"Well hi there, Kankuro. What are you doing here?" Maria asked, smiling. He gave her a grin.

"Visiting someone. I guess I could ask you what you're doing here, but I don't want to waste your valuable time."

"Oh, shut up," Maria laughed. Then she became more somber. "So, who are you meeting? Everything alright?" she asked.

"You're always so serious. Yea, everything's great. Just coming to see a friend of mine whose here for treatment," Kankuro explained. Maria smiled.

"Oh that's nice of you. Well I only have a short time for lunch, so I gotta go," Maria said, waving goodbye. She was unaware of the fact he watched her until she was out of sight.

Lunch passed quickly, and all too soon, 2:34 came. Maria dragged herself to her doom. She pulled the doors open to find a surprising sight. Mr. Netch was waiting patiently for her, and Regina was nowhere to be found. This instantly made Maria's day a million times better. She gave the man a genuine smile.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Netch! How are you?" she asked brightly. He gave her a small smile.

"Fine, thank you. And you?" he responded.

"Great, thanks. Ready for your checkup?" Maria asked. He nodded. "Good. Then let's get to it." Maria set work, looking him over, and taking x-rays. Slowly, Maria's mind floated to her missing nurse. Despite her antagonism towards Regina, Maria never wished any one to be hurt or have something bad happen to someone. The entire checkup passed with no sign of the fair-haired women. Mr. Netch left the hospital happy, though. He was still cancer free.

The whole day passed with no sign of Regina. Maria even asked around, but no one knew. Giving up, Maria checked out and left the hospital. She walked slowly through Suna, admiring the setting sun. She loved nothing more then desert sunsets. She tried to keep her thoughts off Regina and Kankuro, the two names that circled her mind endlessly. The last thing she wanted was to have to worry about either of them. But, Maria was not a lucky ninja.

"Maria hey, WAIT!" called Kankuro from behind her. Maria turned slowly to look at him.

"Yea?" she asked, too tired to give a proper greeting.

"Me and some friends are heading out tonight to the construction site. There's a great view at the top! You should come too," Kankuro explained with animation. Maria looked at him in disbelief.

"Are you crazy? The construction site is off limits for a reason, idiot!" Maria scolded. Kankuro rolled his eyes.

"Whatever. I was dumb to think you'd actually come. See ya," he grumbled, stalking off. Maria just shook her head and continued walking home.

"Looks like I'll be worrying all night…" Maria thought bitterly as she slid into her bed.